KATHMANDU: The Special Court has ordered former Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Sanjeev Gautam, to be sent to judicial custody pending trial in a corruption case.
The order was issued on Tuesday by a joint bench of Special Court members Narayan Prasad Paudel, Hemanta Rawal and Dilli Ratna Shrestha.
The Special Government Attorney’s Office in Kathmandu had filed charges against Gautam alleging irregularities and financial misconduct related to the construction project of Pokhara Regional International Airport.
According to the case filed by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, the estimated cost of consultancy services under the EPC agreement was allegedly increased abnormally, leading to approval of costs worth approximately Rs 503.4 million.
The anti-graft body claimed that the alleged irregularities caused losses of around Rs 89.5 million to the Civil Aviation Authority.
The case seeks imprisonment and fines against Gautam under Sections 17 and 3 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002.
Gautam, however, denied the allegations and maintained that he had not misappropriated any funds.
The court stated that its decision to remand him into custody for trial was based on preliminary evidence, statements, contract details and his role at the time, in accordance with the Special Court Act, 2002.
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